About Fifty (50)and more women farmers, processors, aggregators, agric input dealers, packagers, and other value chain actors, are expected to participate in the 13th edition of the monthly ‘Agri-Woman Market Place, to be held at the Forecourt of Agrihouse Foundation office, Dzorwulu. The event is scheduled for the last Friday of September, specifically on the 29th of this month in 2023, commencing at 9 a.m. and closing at 5 p.m.
The Rainforest Alliance, an International Non-profit Organization is supporting cocoa companies, traders, cooperatives, farmer groups and gold associations to implement measures that will help to prevent, identify and address forced labour and child labour in their daily operations across the globe.
The organization as part of their “Yen Ne Mmofra No Nti” project has introduced a Tool called the Human Rights Due Diligence Toolkit prepared for cocoa cooperatives, mining firms, gold associations, and groups operating in the cocoa and gold sectors of Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and globally.
The tool will provide relevant information on the nature and impact of human right issues we include child labour, forced labour and gender discrimination in the cocoa sector, as well as the legal frameworks and internationally recognized standards that govern cocoa and gold mining.
Workshop
Speaking at a validation workshop held in Accra on the Tool, Country Director for Rainforest Alliance, Ghana/Nigeria, Kwame Osei Boateng mentioned that an estimated 1.56 million children are in child labour in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana.
According to him, studies show that most of the children who work on cocoa farms do so within their household or extended family.
“Child labour is a complex issue which needs all expertise to come on board to help tackle it head on.
“Our challenge is that the sector is stricken with poverty and hence culminated in many difficulties at the farmer level.
“I believe that we are all in this together and by completing this tool, implementing and scaling it up, it will go a long way to reduce the incidence of child labour and bring cases to its lowest level” he said.
Senior Project Manager, Joyce Poku-Marboah explained that the involvement of relevant stakeholders is highly beneficial.
She indicated that whiles it makes them feel valued and involved, it allows for buy-in of the tool and most importantly gathering of direct feedback from those who will use it.
She further stated that one of the objectives is to ensure uptake of the of gender-sensitive HRDD tool in 120 selected cocoa cooperatives, companies, and gold mining associations covering over 300,000 members by the end of 2024.
“The Rainforest Alliance with funding from NORAD, and implementing partners; International Cocoa Initiative and Solidaridad Ghana want to increase awareness, engagement and socio-economic resilience of 12,500 vulnerable individuals including, children, youth, women and men.
“The outcome of this project will be that the Ghanaian government at a district, regional and national level will implement measures to prevent, identify, and address forced labour and to protect vulnerable groups” she mentioned.
Overview
A consultant for the Yen Ne Mmofra No Nti project, Dr. Albert Arhin in his presentation explained that the Tool is a comprehensive framework that enables companies, cooperatives, and organisations to identify, prevent, mitigate, and account for potential and actual human rights impacts within their operations and supply chains.
According to him, it uses a systematic and proactive approach to assess, address, and monitor human rights risks and violations.
Dr. Arhin explained that the primary goal of the tool is to ensure that organisations respect and promote human rights, as outlined in internationally recognized standards, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Labour Organisation’s core conventions.
“Let me state that the key elements of a Human Rights Due Diligence system (HRDD) typically are Commitment, Risk Assessment and Mitigation, Grievance Mechanism, Remediation, Monitoring and Evaluation and lastly Communication and Reporting.
“Once you follow this process, you are 100% sure an organisations can identify and address human rights risks, improve supply chain practices, enhance social and environmental sustainability, and uphold their responsibilities to respect human rights” he said.
Appreciation
The participants were grateful to Rainforest Alliance for introducing this new HRDD tool to them and their famer organisations.
“We are excited that this tool provides guidance on communicating HRDD activities and producing annual reports to engage stakeholders. It will set the platform for meeting the EU HRDD Directive. ”
“We have learnt that the tool provides guidance on communicating HRDD activities and producing annual reports to engage stakeholders, demonstrate accountability, and foster trust” said Council Chairman of Cocoa Abrabopa Association (CAA), Ismail Pomasi.
A Nigerian company, EGTA Investment Limited on Saturday signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a Ghanaian conglomerate, Jospong Group of Companies, to boost of food production.
The MoU signed by the two entities at the Ghana High Commission in Abuja, was centered on boosting rice farming, wheat, soya beans, yellow corn, and sunflower production, among others.
The MoU was signed under the supervision of Alhaji Bello Goronyo, Minister of State for Water Resources and Sanitation and Mr Eddison Agbenyegah, Ghana Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria.
Also present was Mr Aminu Goronyo, President of Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN).
Speaking, Mr Bashir Ibrahim, Group Managing Director of EGTA, said the agreement between the two companies was important in promoting investments in agriculture.
He said that there was also the need for adequate investments to advance agricultural growth in Africa through cooperation, financial, social andpolitical relationships between African nations.
Ibrahim said: “It is on that basis that the ECTA delegation went to Ghana to negotiate this historic MoU; this led ECTA delegation to Ghana and Jospong delegation to Nigeria.
“To negotiate and come to agreement on this MoU built on the long standing friendly relations that has existed since independence between Ghana and Nigeria.
“In fact, if there are any two countries that do close to the extent that event in one country leads to same event in another, it is Nigeria and Ghana.
“So, the signing of this MoU is in line with that tradition. The future of Africa depends on this concept of cooperation, financial investment, technical, social, economic, political cooperation between African nations.”
Ibrahim described the cooperation between both companies as an extension of the historic relationship between Ghana and Nigeria, saying that the MoU would cover production of agricultural commodities.
He also said it would provide technical, financial and investment cooperation, as well as training and capacity building for Ghana’s agriculture ecosystem.
Ibrahim said that the agreement, which was one out of many with other foreign partners was made possible by President Bola Tinubu administration’s business-friendly commitment to make private sector key drivers in economic diversification.
Also speaking, Mr George Blavo, Lead Coordinator, Rice Project, Jospong Group of Companies, Ghana, said the agreement was in line with Ghana’s agricultural agenda.
Blavo, who signed the MoU on behalf of Jospong, said the agreement was basically aimed at lifting people of Ghana from poverty through agricultural development.
According to him, it would add value to the agricultural food chain, food security, reducing food imports, with the private sector as a pivotal force.
“We are hopeful this MOU will further strengthen the Nigeria -Ghana bilateral relationship; which must ensure that partnership betwen Ghana and Nigeria is given priority.
“In Ghana, we cherish the long standing relationship between our two countries and it is our hope that this partnership will grow from strength-to-strength, for our mutual benefits,” he said. Blavo extolled Ghana-Nigeria relationship that focussed on economic, trade and investment, technology, security and agriculture.
According to him, the ceremony attested to the long standing relationship that existed between both countries.
For his part, Agbenyegah said that Ghana sought to learn best practices from Nigeria, which had since become a “Rice Super Power”, adding that the country has become one of the leading producers of rice in Africa.
“We are all aware that Nigeria is the biggest producer of rice and the contribution of ECTA to this achievement is well known to all of us.
“We are going to ride on the policies and business policies the Federal Government of Nigeria will reel out, to make this kind of cooperation easy and even, more fruitful.
“We are happy to be partners in this private sector initiative in deepening rice production in Ghana
“Ghana is hosting the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTA) Secretariat, therefore we want to deepen cooperation to propel regional growth,” he said. Jospong is a Ghanaian company with business interest in over 14 sectors, spanning 60 subsidiaries, with operations in Africa and Asia.
Meanwhile, the President of RIFAN, Goronyo, said that Nigeria had made a remarkable progress in rice production over the previous decade after banning the importation of rice.He added that such feat surpassed Egypt’s, with a yearly production of 5.8 metric tonnes of rice
On most Saturday mornings, the shed of Yakubu Akteniba, an onion seller at Adjen Kotoku market, a 33km drive from Accra, is swamped by customers haggling over fresh produce.
But since early August, things have quietened as business has taken a nosedive due to disruption in the food supply chain across West Africa.
“We used to receive at least 20 truckloads of onions daily here,” Akteniba, who speaks for the market’s 200-member onion sellers’ association, told Al Jazeera. “The number of trucks coming here has now dropped to between two and five daily … If things don’t change, most of us will be out of business,” he said.
The source of the crisis is Niger, four countries away from Ghana, but also a member of the 15-member Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
On July 26, members of the Nigerien presidential guard overthrew Mohamed Bazoum, the country’s democratically elected leader since 2021. In response, ECOWAS imposed a number of sanctions including the closure of borders surrounding Niger – and cut off trade with it.
That decision has stoked a brewing food crisis across West Africa.
Niger is the key exporter of dry onions in the region, responsible for almost two-thirds of total exports in 2021, according to market intelligence platform, Indexbox.
Figures from the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC) show that in 2021, Niger exported onions worth $23.4m, making it the world’s 31st largest exporter of onions.
In the same year, onions were the sixth-most exported product for Niger. The main destinations of onion exports from Niger were Ghana ($21.7m), Ivory Coast ($1.15m), Benin ($451,000), Togo ($84,500) and Nigeria ($35,100). All five countries have backed ECOWAS sanctions in Niger.
But the sanctions have triggered a shortage of onions and other food commodities like beans and millet – and driven up the cost in places where supply is still available.
“They [ECOWAS] have blocked the vehicles from coming,” Akteniba told Al Jazeera.
According to Akteniba, before the military takeover, a 100kg sack of onions was selling at $61 but the price has now almost doubled to $105. A 25kg sack of onions now costs $27 compared with $17 before the borders were closed.
The bulb-shaped vegetable is revered in West Africa, where many, including Ghanaians, use it as a staple in their cuisines. Onions are boiled, fried, caramelised or even served raw to garnish many meals.
But the cost of onions has become exorbitant as the country’s economic troubles stew; about a quarter of Ghana’s 32 million people live on less than $1 a day, according to the Ghana Statistical Service.
“I love onions but for some time now I am cutting down on the quantity in preparing meals because it is becoming too expensive,” Deborah Biney, a 40-year-old mother of two, told Al Jazeera. “Before the political situation in Niger, I was buying three big pieces of onions for $0.17 in my neighbourhood, but now I use the same amount to buy just a piece.”
Onions also have several health benefits, including improved blood sugar regulation and increasing bone density, experts say.
Patience Naa Adjeley Adjei, a nutritionist and a home economics teacher, told Al Jazeera that the nutritional value of onions could not be underestimated, saying it would be “disturbing” if households stopped using the vegetables due to the soaring prices.
Onions have a distinct flavour that adds to dishes and stimulate appetite … they are low in calories and fat but rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants,” Adjei stated. “They contain fibre, vitamin C and various beneficial compounds that may have health benefits, including anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.”
Nigeria accounts for 20 percent of the onions sold in Ghana, while Burkina Faso exports about 5 percent of the onions consumed there. Ghana only produces 5 percent of the onions it consumes locally.
But 70 percent of onions, valued at about $2m weekly, have been imported from Niger, according to Food and Agriculture Minister Bryan Acheampong.
“I deem this an embarrassment and a needless drain on our scarce foreign exchange,” he said recently, at the launch of a government programme to boost Ghanaian food sufficiency.
He added that Nana Akufo-Addo’s administration is finalising an “aggressive five-year plan” to build food security and resilience by ensuring year-round production to halt the importation of essential commodities like tomatoes and onions.
Niger’s military government has refused to release Bazoum and has served notice it wants to remain in power for at least three years before transitioning back to civilian leadership, even in the face of a possible military intervention by ECOWAS.
Experts have warned that if the impasse persists, it could result in dire humanitarian consequences and a food security crisis in the region.
A study undertaken by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) this April showed that acute food insecurity is on track to reach a 10-year high in West and Central Africa this year as humanitarian assistance is severely hindered by insecurity in conflict-affected areas of Burkina Faso and Mali.
The spread of activities by armed groups in the Sahel is also hindering the food supply chain in the region, the onion sellers’ association said.
“One major issue is attacks on our trucks by terrorists, especially in the Niger area. The coup itself is not affecting the supply of onions and other foods like beans and millet that much, but the state of insecurity,” Peter Appiah Mensah, who owns trucks that cart onions, beans and millets from Niger to Ghana, said
Speaking to Al Jazeera, Ziad Hamoui, co-chair of the Food Trade Coalition for Africa, said the economic sanctions by the regional bloc on the uranium-rich country, especially the border closure come at a cost.
He called on regional leaders to soften their stance.
“I think it’s still important to maintain the regional trade flows,” said Hamoui, who doubles as president of the Ghanaian chapter of Borderless Alliance, a regional trade advocacy group. “First of all, you can’t really stop trade by blocking the borders. So, closing the borders on one hand, does not solve the issue.
“On the other hand, there need to be policies where countries can be held accountable … we need to have mechanisms in place that allow countries to talk together in cases of complaints and challenges,” he added.
Some of the onion trucks are also stuck behind borders in Burkina Faso, also military ruled and which has allied itself with Mali, to support Niger. In Ghana, vegetable traders are worried that the vegetables might rot and their value depreciate by the time the borders are reopened.
Maybe, this is a wake-up call for our government to invest more in growing our own onions here in Ghana,” Akteniba told Al Jazeera. “The only problem is that our onions are very small due to the weather but those coming from Niger are bigger. We need to find a solution to this situation
Agrihouse Foundation and Nebraska based GhaNeb LLC, has confirmed that, the Deputy Minister (Crop), of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Hon. Yaw Frimpong Addo, will be leading the Ghana delegation, to attend it 1st Nebraska-Ghana Trade and investment event, and also participate in one of the major agricultural event in the world, the Husker Harvest Days.
Twenty-two Government and Private Businesses, are participating in the 5-day program, which is expected to create long term Business Linkages and Trade opportunities where economic, practical measures and investment strategies will be discussed and explored, in the interest of both parties.
Supporting the organization of the event include the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, Grand Island Chamber of Commerce, Sandhill Global, RWH Energy, EZ Politix and Certified Piedmontese.
Already confirmed to attend this program being, organized by GhaNeb LLC and Agrihouse Foundation, are representatives from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, AMG Fertilizers, Collinmon Investment, Fidelity Bank, SAPIP, Cudjoe Abimash Farms, A.N. O. Enterprise and Interplast.
The rest are AgriPower, Elsiyne Enterprise, Ghana Federation of Livestock Inter-Professional (GHAFLIP), Enepa, Nature- Feast Farms LLC and T & C Farms.
Giving background to the event, the Executive Director of Agrihouse Foundation, Ms. Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa, said the event, expected to be an annual one, would help Ghana and Nebraska to build on, and further strengthen business ties, which began in 2022, when Senators Julie Slama, Andrew Le Grone and Ken Schilz were in Ghana.
During their stay in Ghana, Agrihouse Foundation facilitated a Government and Private business stakeholders’ meeting in both Greater Accra and the Northern Region, as well as farm tours.
The program, will equally present the opportunity for the Ghana Delegation to meet leaders in the Agriculture world and will also offer them, a valuable occasion to tap into a wide range of opportunities to gain new knowledge, exploit investment options and widen their networks for sustainable business collaborations and expansions.
Activities for the 5-day event include, a Welcome Networking Reception, Breakout Tours, Roundtable meetings and B2B Matchmaking sessions.
The delegation will also have the opportunity to visit farms, processing facilities, and implement dealers.
Former State Senator Schilz and Mr. Kofi Amoabin, both of Nebraska based GhaNeb LLC, mentioned their excitement, about working with Agrihouse Foundation, to facilitate opportunities, between Ghana and Nebraska.
We are confident, that, this first edition will yield great results.
We have positioned ourselves, to support strengthen businesses and relationships, that will be established from here. The Statement concluded.
As part of its efforts to help build an alliance to protect forests, improve the livelihoods of farmers and forest communities, promote their human rights, and help them mitigate and adapt to the climate crisis across the globe, the Rainforest Alliance has praised some cocoa buying companies in Ghana for paying the mandatory 70 dollars per MT of cocoa as a sustainability differential package to the farmers.
The 2020 Certification Program is a global standard for monitoring and increasing responsible cocoa, Tea and coffee production. The program helps to improve their internal processes and helps them attain full traceability, improve personal safety, storage procedures on and off the farm, community hygiene, and protect the environment.
To achieve this mission, the Rainforest Alliance partner with diverse allies around the world to drive positive change across global supply chains and in many of the most critically important natural landscapes.
The announcement
The Council Chairman for Cocoa Abrabopa Association (CAA), Ismaila Pomasi, announced at a regional durbar at Anyinam in the Eastern Region that the CAA is paying a total of GHC 9.2 million in premium packages to their farmers across their 39 cocoa operational areas in Ghana.
He explained to the gathering that the Sustainability Differential (SD) is an additional mandatory cash earned by farmers on their produce for the 2022/2023 crop season to motivate them to adhere to sustainable farming practices promoted by the Rainforest Alliance.
He mentioned that 8,000 cocoa farmers from their 39 cocoa operational areas benefited from the cash package, with each farmer receiving an additional GHC 52.50 per bag of certified cocoa sold to the CAA.
The Council Chairman indicated that all the beneficiary farmers were paid via mobile money and did not have to travel to the association office or any bank.
“We at Abrabopa have also embarked on other sustainability programs such as afforestation, accessible soil, the Sustainable Environment Project, child labor monitoring projects, and living income projects, he said.
Another LBC, Federated Commodities Limited (FEDCO), is also implementing the RA standard. During the recent annual premium ceremony, the managing director of Federated Commodities Limited, Maria Adamu-Zibo, also announced the payment of GHC16 million in cocoa premium earnings to their cocoa farmers across the country for the 2022/2023 cocoa season.
The Managing Director indicated that her company will pay GHC 50 to GHC 64 on each bag of cocoa sold by farmers, which has been made possible through several partnerships, especially the Rainforest Alliance 2020 Certification Program.
“The youth need to see farming as a business opportunity where they can choose to farm or engage in auxiliary services such as labor support, input supply, alternative cocoa farming methods, organic cocoa, cocoa processing, and transformation,” she stated.
Success
Country Director for Rainforest Alliance Ghana and Nigeria, Kwame Osei, speaking at the event organized by FEDCO, expressed his excitement for FEDCO and other companies commitment to demonstrating that it can be done and that it is important for it to be done.
“Most of the farmers live in extreme poverty with fewer alternative income-generating activities, and we believe that this is an additional income to motivate our farmers” he added. He explained that the premium is to encourage the farmers to work hard towards increasing production and also adopt best farming practices. RA requires a minimum Sustainability Differential (SD) of $70 per MT of cocoa.
“This is the cash per MT paid to the individual farmer. The SD is the additional payment producers receive in recognition of the choice they have made to farm to the Rainforest Alliance Standard.
“How they choose to use that payment is up to them. They can reinvest in the farm, use it for family needs, or cover other costs they may have. We believe this is critical to creating a sustainable system where producers make their own choices. This will encourage farmers to produce better crops, adapt to climate change, increase productivity, and reduce costs.
“We will continue to ensure that the 2020 Certification Program changes the lives of farmers in cocoa-growing communities across Ghana” he said.
The Director of Special Services for COCOBOD, Charles Amenyaglo, said that the regulator will continue to create an enabling environment for a vibrant cocoa industry in Ghana and admonished companies to desist from activities that hinder farmers from reaping their desired benefits from the 2020 Certification Program.
“I believe that such activities do not only deprive farmers of the benefits of their premium but also undermine the efforts of COCOBOD” he said.
Appreciation
The farmers were grateful to Abrabopa and FEDCO for fulfilling their promise and making the payment process very fixable.
“We can feel a new wind of change blowing in the cocoa value chain, and it’s going to bring massive improvements in our lives and the sector.
“We are excited about the fact that the companies are paying the premium packages; this will serve as a catalyst to ensure improved welfare as well as increasing government and private sector responsiveness for a sustained cocoa sector” the farmers said.
The African Green Revolution Forum [AGRF] is one of the biggest platforms that brings together key stakeholders all over the continent both public, private, and even civil society. The essence of the AGRF Forum in Tanzania this year is to create opportunities for actors within the agriculture value chain to come and network, connect, look for opportunities, bring investors together, and as well building relevant business. Sam Amankwah, a communications team member of AGRA said.
According to Sam. Amankwa, the whole idea behind AGRF is to create a platform for stakeholders and investors to connect and create business opportunities that will be put into practicalities in the countries participating so they can get the needed boost and funding to trigger the transformation AGRAG GH wants to see in these African countries.
To revamp the sector Mr. Amankwa said over the past few years, agriculture has suffered lapses in the hands of COVID-19 coupled with the Russian-Ukraine war, for this reason, the investors would have the opportunity to be connected and sparked for business to thrive again from country to country across the African continent helping agriculture to be placed back on the map.
He mentioned that at the end of the event, AGRA expects to see deals being sealed, and investment booming into the Agricultural sector that is trickling down to the prioritised actors [smallholder farmers).
Commenting on the various projects to AgricToday media, Mr. Bashiru a member from the Marketing Department of AGRA indicated that AGRA seeks to sieve the responses coming in from beneficiaries of the projects that have been in existence for some time now, as to how well or bad those projects are performing. There should be an idea whether the projects receiving the needed attention or not so there could be a restructuring or even continue with the old style if accepted.
Mr. Bashiru mentioned that the consensuses investment around cassava, maize, soy, and rice is of interest to the nation and has very huge cassava production in the country.
“Currently, Ghana is producing over 8 million metric tons of Cassava and what we are told out of the 8 million metric tons based on statistics is that about 30% of them go waste which means that, there must be strategic investments around post-harvest management”, he added.
To tackle post-harvest losses, he said another area that AGRA is focusing on is to support processors. Some farmers are into the production of high-quality Cassava flour [HQCF] of which manufacturers of plywood, ethanol, Gari, Tapioca, and others benefit. The last Cassava project that ended last year, 2022 saw AGRA supporting about 110,000 smallholder farmers who are basically into cassava production.
AGRA is a proudly African-led institution focused on scaling agricultural innovations that help smallholder farmers towards increased incomes, better livelihoods, and improved food security. We understand that African farmers need uniquely African solutions to the environmental and agricultural challenges they face, enabling them to sustainably boost production and gain access to rapidly growing agricultural markets.
In short, AGRA’s mission is to transform the lives of smallholder farmers from that of a solitary struggle for survival to a business that thrives.
Since 2006, we have worked with our partners, governments, non-governmental organizations, private sector businesses, and more; to deliver a set of proven solutions to smallholder farmers and indigenous African agricultural enterprises. We put smallholder farmers first on the agenda, recognizing that no country has moved from low-income to middle-income without agricultural transformation.
The work of AGRA in Ghana is in line with the Government of Ghana’s Food and Agriculture Sector Development Policy (FASDEP II) and the 2nd Phase of the Medium-Term Agriculture Sector Investment Plan (METASIP II) in driving accelerated agriculture modernization and sustainable natural resource management.
AGRA is inviting the general public to the three (3) days AGRF Forum in Tanzania that is taking place tomorrow September 5, 2023, to September 8, 2023. An initiative that is classified as the world’s premier forum on African agriculture and food systems, bringing together stakeholders to take practical action and share lessons that will move the African food systems forward.
With its vast areas of arable land, favourable climate and affordable labour, Africa possesses significant potential to export packaged food products to developed countries. Additionally, global interest in unique African foods is on the rise. Tapping into this potential is Black Mamba, a chilli sauce producer based in Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), founded in 2010. To date, it has exported to 15 countries, with the UK, Norway, and Germany being prominent markets. Jaco Maritz spoke to Claudia Castellanos, co-founder and CEO of Black Mamba, about the strategies she has employed to expand the company’s export markets.
The company’s first export order came from a distributor in Germany who had previously purchased handcrafted products from Eswatini. Before founding Black Mamba, Castellanos consulted for handcraft businesses in Eswatini and was acquainted with this distributor. During one visit, he encountered Black Mamba’s chilli sauce and believed it would be well-received on German shelves.
As a result, he ordered four cartons. This order marked Black Mamba’s introduction to the procedures and logistics of exporting and was a valuable learning experience for the company on how to navigate the export process.
Black Mamba’s presence in a store at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport paved the way for its introduction into Norway. In 2016, Claudia received an email from an individual in Norway who received a bottle of Black Mamba chilli sauce purchased from the OR Tambo store.
This person happened to be a distributor of African products in Norway. Impressed by the sauce, he expressed his interest in distributing it in Norway. Today, Norway is a key market for Black Mamba, with the sauce available in two of the country’s largest supermarkets and on major e-commerce platforms.
The company strategically targets countries where a sizable part of the population values organic ingredients and appreciates Black Mamba’s dedication to benefiting the local communities where the products are made. Furthermore, it focuses on markets where individuals have a good disposable income and a fondness for new and different foods.
Claudia emphasises that the products cater to consumers who “are willing to pay a premium for items they recognise as beneficial to both the planet and communities”. Additionally, the company prioritises countries with no import duties for products from Eswatini, making its sauces more competitive.
collaborates with only one distributor per country. “We rather stick to one person that we believe wants to grow the brand,” she remarks. Today, the company maintains a tight-knit relationship with its distributors. Castellano recalls, “In the beginning I used to be just, ‘Oh, here’s your shipment, have fun, enjoy. Contact me when you need your next order.’ Nowadays it is literally a weekly meeting.”
The United Arab Emirates is also an important territory for Black Mamba. According to Castellanos, it’s a market teeming with consumers who have disposable income and a penchant for new products. The company is currently navigating listings with regional supermarkets.
However, Castellanos emphasises that securing listings with supermarkets can be a protracted affair, sometimes taking years. That’s why, in the interim, it has targeted listings on local e-commerce platforms. Furthermore, Black Mamba has tapped into Taiwan, capitalising on its residents’ strong purchasing power and interest in novel foods.
Castellanos also sees significant growth potential for Black Mamba in the US. In 2020, the company received an investment from an American VC firm, Enygma Capital, which has aided in expanding its presence in North America.
Participation in international trade shows has proven pivotal for Black Mamba’s entry into new markets. For instance, with the help of a USAID-backed programme aimed at assisting export-ready businesses in Southern Africa to tap into the American market, Black Mamba has exhibited at events like the Fancy Food Show in New York.
Through the International Trade Centre, Black Mamba has also taken part in trade shows in the United Arab Emirates, which led to its entry into the Dubai market. And, sponsored by the Eswatini government, the company has attended the Food Taipei show, leading to a partnership with its current distributor in Taiwan.
Castellanos believes that trade shows offer more than just a platform to showcase the company’s products to retailers and distributors. They also provide insight into the market’s structure and an understanding of competitors.
The approach to trade shows has evolved as the business has grown. In the company’s early days, Castellanos attended trade shows without a concrete plan, merely hoping for interested buyers to stop by their booth. Now, the company gears up for trade shows months ahead of time.
Castellanos identifies which buyers she wants to connect with, reaches out to them via email to announce Black Mamba’s attendance, and schedules meetings ahead of time. “So when you go there,” she explains, “it’s an intense two or three days of non-stop work focused on building those markets.”
Black Mamba primarily partners with distributors in its export countries, though in some instances, it deals directly with retailers. Castellanos points out that one advantage of this distributor approach is their pre-existing relationships with various retailers.
Typically, Black Mamba collaborates with only one distributor per country. “We rather stick to one person that we believe wants to grow the brand,” she remarks. Today, the company maintains a tight-knit relationship with its distributors. Castellano recalls, “In the beginning I used to be just, ‘Oh, here’s your shipment, have fun, enjoy. Contact me when you need your next order.’ Nowadays it is literally a weekly meeting.
Regarding the marketing of its products overseas, Castellanos says that it’s typically a collaborative effort between Black Mamba’s marketing team, its distributors, and occasionally, the distributors’ marketing agencies abroad. To ensure brand consistency worldwide, Black Mamba has devised a global marketing strategy and established brand guidelines.
Another important consideration is how to divide the marketing budget between Black Mamba and its distributors in these countries. Castellanos mentions that Black Mamba usually provides distributors with complimentary access to the marketing artwork and other assets, as well as product samples, which are crucial for sparking initial consumer interest. Nonetheless, Black Mamba leans on the local market knowledge of its international partners, be it in choosing in-country influencers or pinpointing optimal dates for tastings and promotions.
Castellano strongly believes in the benefits of strategic networking and being proactive. She sees networking as her superpower. For her, LinkedIn has been invaluable in landing new export clients. Knowing that a cold outreach to a buyer or distributor might not be as effective as a personal introduction, she checks if the person she’s targeting is connected to someone she knows. If they are, she then asks for an introduction.
The Black Mamba CEO underscores her tenacity when approaching potential buyers. While some may find her persistence irksome, she believes, “There’s also the possibility that they say, ‘Yes, come and meet me’. And they’re impressed with your persistence and courage. So that has opened a lot of doors for me.” She further notes, “A thing that I’ve learned through life is that the worst thing that can happen is that they can say ‘no’.”
Agrihouse Foundation and GhaNeb LLC are offering a rare opportunity to Ghanaian farmers, agribusiness entrepreneurs, Government officials and the Private Businesses, to exploit a business, Trade and investment opportunity in the forthcoming Nebraska-Ghana Trade and Investment Program, and experience the highly rated Husker Harvest Days.
The Nebraska-Ghana Trade and Investment program, taking place in Grand Island, NE, Nebraska, USA, from September 10th to 14th, 2023, is also receiving support from the Nebraska State Legislature, Grand Island Chamber of Commerce, EZ Politix, Sandhills Global, The Nebraska Department of Economic Development and Certified Piedmonstese
“Indeed, Agrihouse Foundation and GhaNeb LLC, are truly looking forward to successfully bringing Agricultural interests and leaders from Ghana and Nebraska, together to help build relationships and bring the interests of both nations together for everyone’s benefit, especially our farmers and Agribusinesses”, Ms. Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa, Executive Director, Agrihouse Foundation, was quoted as saying in the press release.
“Besides creating and facilitating opportunities for growth of business, Trade and Investment, in both Nebraska and Ghana, twice in a year, one of the long-term vision of this partnership, is to establish a Ghana- Nebraska Trade & Investment (GhaNeb) Secretariat, in Ghana to support, in growing, harnessing and contribute to scaling up, the opportunities, that are built.
However, to kick-start this vision, we are working with GhaNeb LLC and the Nebraska State Legislature, to send a Ghanaian Business delegation to Nebraska from September 9 – September 15, 2023.
“With the success of this first Trade and Investment program, every subsequent September, Agrihouse Foundation, will work to facilitate a strong business delegation to Nebraska and, every November, Nebraska will, in the same way, send a business delegation to Ghana,” Ms. Akosa elucidated further.
This much needed business event, will equally presents opportunities, for Ghana and Nebraska State businesses, Government agencies officials, to discuss, explore, develop, strengthen and forge bilateral trade and investment relations.
Affirming this, Mr. Ken Schilz, the Key player in the Program, and a former Nebraska State Senator and (former) Chair of the Legislature’s Agriculture Committee Nebraksa, explains, that the event presents participants, with immense business opportunities to meet leaders in the Agricultural world.
Whiles in Nebraska, the Ghana Delegation, will also engage in pre-arranged B2B sessions, and other pre-arranged business meetings, which all aims to present and project the opportunities that could be explored by both countries.
The program also presents a great opportunity for learning about new technologies and advancements, that are taking place in American and global agriculture.
“We are working on bringing a delegation from Ghana to participate in our first Trade and Investment Program, and experience Husker Harvest Days.
Whiles in Ghana last year, we worked with Agrihouse Foundation, to facilitate a Government and Private Businesses Stakeholder Event.
We also had the opportunity to visit and experience, some large commercial farms in the Mion, Northern Region. We are particularly excited, that we have been able to scale up, our working relationship. Our collective goal is to, continue our work together, to grow our economies and create lasting partnerships. Former State Senator Ken Schilz added.
So far, The Ghanaian participants that shall be attending this event shall participate in top trade conversations and negotiations, breakout tours, market linkages negotiations, matchmaking, and investment related programs.
They will also have the opportunity to experience the Husker Harvest Days. “For over 40 years, Husker Harvest Days has provided world-class space where farmers, ranchers, and agribusiness/agripreneurs gain priceless insights for their operations while making connections that last for years,” Mr. Schilz explained.
The highly rated event known, as the world’s largest totally irrigated working farm show, has been connecting farming families with Agri producers and services from across the America and beyond. Farmers attend to engage, and this all adds up to ROI (return on investment) value for their business.
This very important agricultural business and investment event will develop and strengthen economic partnerships, provide access to valuable and sustainable market access, enhance bilateral investments, training, knowledge and technology transfer that will support and further boost Ghana’s rapidly growing import and export sector.
Sufficient knowledge to share and takeaway.
Participants will enjoy personal conversations with equipment and product designers, techs, and engineers on current equipment and future farming needs; experience the latest in agric technology, and learn from industry experts.
Seen as an event that has something for everyone, the Husker Harvest and the Trade and Investment program, promises memorable field demonstrations, Poultry, cattle handling, hemp education, exhibits – and a Hospitality Tent where visitors can relax and enjoy free educational sessions and other guest speakers, and much more.
Whiles in Nebraska, GhaNeb and Agrihouse, plan to have a reception the night before the event’s date for sponsors and participants, with the Nebraska Department of Economic Development providing entry Passes to the event.
Additionally, a luncheon or dinner, and Roundtable discussions, will be organized, as well for sponsors and participants.
At the reception and networking forum on the first day, the conversation will be centered on economic and investment strategies, and practical measures to accelerate and sustain Ghana’s Economic Repositioning and accelerated growth to drive investors to partner Ghana in building the desired thriving industrialized economy.
Field demonstrations that compels innovative investments for increased yields.
Whilst in Nebraska, participants shall also have the opportunity to visit farms, processing facilities, implement dealers, as well as meeting with representatives from Nebraska Agriculture Trade Associations, Government leaders and other Agri businesses to exchange ideas and create relationships.
The Nebraska Department of Economic Development will be hosting the Ghanaian Business delegates, and will have the opportunity to interact with global machinery, equipment and technology companies exhibiting at the Tradeshow.
“This is a growth opportunity in agribusiness, Trade and investment, a first step in our long-term plan. Ms. Akosa concluded.
In 2017, the USAID ADVANCE Project handed over the annual Pre-Harvest Agribusiness Conference and Exhibitions event to Agrihouse Foundation as part of the organization’s exit strategy. Since then, Agrihouse Foundation has implemented and scaled up the project, by annually connecting over 3000 smallholder farmers, commercial farmers, seeds, fertilizer, irrigation, finance, processors, ICT, service providers, machinery and equipment companies and value chain actors to markets.
The Preharvest, has strategically grown, to become a intervention, and highly impactful market linkage program, on Ghana’s Agribusiness calendar, providing long-term market development opportunities for farmers and agribusinesses.
ABOUT PREHARVEST
The Annual Pre-Harvest Agribusiness Conference and Exhibitions event, for the past 12 years, have provided and created market linkages and built the capacity of over 150,000 value chain actors and stakeholders.
Beneficiaries and participants of the annual Preharvest event ranges from farmer groups, buyers, development partners, policy makers, agribusinesses, ICT professionals, and aggregators. Others include input dealers, equipment and machinery dealers, transporters, financial institutions, telecommunication companies, out growers, civil society, and processors, who converge in the Northern Region, to network, exhibit, share knowledge, train, engage in field demonstration activities and most importantly, negotiate and seal deals.
The intervention has served as a stimulating platform for match-making, exchange, agribusiness development, stakeholder linkages, and has brought about growth in local economies, through the creation of expanded agribusiness opportunities. It has also assisted in removing constraints on market access for farmers and agribusinesses who require access to lucrative markets and economic opportunities to improve their livelihoods and those of their families.
The annual Preharvest event, culminates with conference events, presentations, exhibitions, and a marketplace for business-to-business meetings.
It continuous to serve as a dynamic platform for farmers to negotiate and seal contracts and strengthen the capacity of Farmer-Based Organizations (FBOs), Aggregators, Processors, and value chain actors for them to play a key role as agricultural market actors.
It has assisted over 64,000 farmers and agribusinesses to expand their businesses both before and after harvesting.
After twelve (12) successful editions, and through feedbacks and testimonies, we are confident to say, the annual Preharvest event, has lived up to its overall goal of creating markets and linking farmers to buyers.
Over five billion USD business deals, has been generated through the event over the years.
In 2022, the event recorded a total of 3700 participants, over the 3-day event, with about 210 exhibitors, who included farmers, input dealers, equipment and machinery dealers, Irrigation dealers, financial institutions, telecommunication companies.
Others were processors, development partners, insurance companies, non-governmental organizations and government agencies.
A survey conducted after he event, indicated high interest in participation for subsequent years due to the relevance of the sessions and activities’’. Stated Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa, the Executive Director of Agrihouse Foundation.
FOCUS ON THE 13TH PREHARVEST AGRIBUSINESS EXHIBITIONS AND CONFERENCE:
This tradition of impact continues this year with a project participation of about 5000 and an increase in Exhibitors, from 150 last year, to 250.
The event, is slated to hold, from Tuesday, October 24 to Thursday, October 26, 2023, under the Theme: “Connecting the Unconnected – The Farmer, The Input Dealer, The Processor,”
Just as last year, a number of activities have been lined-up, to make up this year’s event, even more valuable, interactive, engaging and impactful, to participants and attendees.
Activities for the three (3) days event, will include:
COMMODITY BREAKOUT SESSION: NAVIGATING AGRICULTURAL VALUE CHAINS
Bringing together a diverse spectrum of participants, including farmer groups, farmer-based organizations, aggregators, buyers, students, smallholders, and commercial farmers, the Commodity Breakout Session aims to provide invaluable insights into excelling within the agricultural value chain.
FARMER-BUYER MATCHMAKING
A dedicated networking session, the Farmer-Buyer Matchmaking event is tailored for farmers to engage with potential wholesale buyers and various agribusinesses along the value chain. During this dynamic session, both farmers and buyers have the opportunity to forge connections and seal deals that can shape the trajectory of their agricultural endeavours.
EXHIBITIONS
Spanning the entirety of the three-day event, an engaging -exhibition showcase will unfold, creating a space for buying and selling at affordable prices. This dynamic platform serves as a hub for exploring the latest innovations, products, and services that are driving advancements in the agricultural sector ranging from Crop Varieties, Seeds, Farm Equipment and Machinery, Agrochemicals and Fertilizers, Livestock among others
FIELD DEMONSTRATIONS
At the heart of the three-day event, the Field Demonstrations stand out as a prominent highlight. Here, farmers and industry participants engage in practical learning, gaining firsthand experience and adopting best practices in farm management. Hosted at the Agrihouse Foundation Agri-Village, this immersive experience aims to equip attendees with tangible skills that can enhance their agricultural practices.
As the event approaches, anticipation is building for these multifaceted sessions that collectively aim to foster knowledge sharing, collaboration, and growth within Ghana’s agricultural landscape. Stay tuned for an enriching experience that celebrates innovation, connectivity, and progress.
OUTCOMES AND EXPECTATIONS:
The three days event is expected to provide participants with a common platform where diverse services linked to the Agric sector will converge to provide mutually beneficial ends
Participants will be taken through practical and engaging sessions to enable them gain deeper insights into best practices and how to take advantages of the numerous opportunities in the agriculture sector.
The three-day event will feature sessions designed to give participants in-depth insight into the state of the agriculture industry today and inherent opportunity. such as commodity break-out sessions, intensive and focused training programs, farmer -buyer matchmaking dialogue, training, panel education sessions, field demonstrations, keynotes, and exhibitions while displaying, promoting business, and creating networking opportunities
THE VENUE:
We are super excited to announce that, after 13 years of successfully hosting the annual Preharvest Agribusiness Exhibitions and Conference event, at different locations, within the Northern region, this year’s event, will fully be held at the AGRIHOUSE AGRI-VILLAGE TRAINING AND DEMONSTRATION CENTRE, located at Bamvum.
The Ten(10) acre land, was donated to Agrihouse Foundation, in 2021 by the he Bamvim Lana (Chief of Bamvim).
Agrihouse Foundation is working to develop the land, in the next 3-5 years, to become the Premier Agribusiness Training, Exhibitions and Demonstration Centre, with crop and livestock stations, processing centre, conference, workshop halls, restrooms, exhibition stores for Agric companies, training and recreational centres, among others.
JOIN THE 13TH EDITION OF THE PRE-HARVEST AGRIBUSINESS EXHIBITIONS AND CONFERENCE EVENT:
We invite all stakeholders and value chain actors, to get ready, to embark on an Agribusiness Adventure like never before. Join us from October 24-26, 2023 at the Agrihouse foundation Agri village, Bamvim in the Northern Region, as we for the highly anticipated 13th edition of the pre-harvest agribusiness exhibitions and conference event.
Discover the ultimate platform that connects farmers, market players and agribusinesses, unlocking endless opportunities for growth, innovation and success.
The 13t edition of the Pre-harvest event, is designed as an ideal scenario to foster collaborations and integration, within the industry.
Over the course of the three days, participants will have the opportunity to exchange experiences, explore appropriate technologies, enhance productivity and create a network of opportunities.
Don’t miss out on this transformative event making waves in the agricultural industry over a decade now.
